Seriously. Now What?

With little more than ninety days to President-elect Trump’s looming inauguration, it is clear we are a nation deeply divided. As Bernie revolutionaries continue to mourn the loss of hard-won gains, Hillary die-hards grapple with the sobering shock of defeat. While millions reluctantly cast a vote in protest to the opposition, many now celebrate an abrupt Trump victory.

With the world desperately trying to make sense of a political landscape in turmoil, countless American families are angry, hurting, and troubled by an uncertain future.

Many would argue that the incendiary doctrines of Trump’s campaign are in stark contrast with the fundamental principles of our democracy. With decades of hard-fought battles to preserve civil liberties, fragile ecosystems, and the human rights of those living within our borders and beyond – so much is at stake; so much can be undone with a stroke of a pen. And all signs point to escalation.

This tension is palpable. Unprecedented mud-slinging has left much of our citizenry caught in the middle of some of the most wildly inflammatory rhetoric in history. With divisive arguments that cut to the very core of who we are and what we believe, much of this country is divided along uncompromising lines. While the media continues to escalate the contempt between us, we are torn between politely maintaining long-standing relationships, against snubbing friends and neighbors on the basis of so-called morally objectionable ideals. My hope is that individuals will maintain perspective despite the brewing storm.

With so much hanging in the balance, let us preserve some measure of dignity, respect and purpose – for no matter the outcome, we are all in this together.

I am fearful for my non-white, non-christian brothers and sisters – as well as my friends and neighbors in the LGBTQ community. I am angry about the relentless rape of the natural world and imminent threats to organic food production and clean drinking water at the hands of profit-seeking climate-change deniers. I am disgusted that misogynistic legislators from another era have any influence whatsoever in the twenty-first century. I am alarmed by the aggressive militarization of local law enforcement and the privatization of our criminal justice system. I am disheartened by a broken and corrupt political system that could permit a lying, narcissistic, unapologetically “pussy-grabbing” bully to win the White House.

I do not presume to know what will happen. I write this simply to encourage all of us to summon the compassionate being in ourselves – to reject violence and its ugliness, as we embark on an ambiguous Trump presidency. Each of us has the responsibility to help shape our collective destiny as contributing members of our local communities – as conscientious volunteers, organized activists, informed voters, and devoted parents.

We have seen throughout this nation’s history that each of us has the ability to shift insurmountable thinking in order to improve the common good. But we must do so with unyielding humility, peaceful purpose, and nonviolent intention.

As we move closer to the next new beginning, we must remember how we come together in times of crisis and catastrophe; how all that matters in the end is the security and comfort of our loved ones. As human beings, we have been gifted the capacity to reason. Let us not forget the prudence and practicality of graciousness and civility. After all is said and done, truly the only thing that matters is the safety and well-being of our children.

As we continue to grapple with infuriating legislation and the vast imperfections of our tested republic, let us not forget that the tangible strength of our great nation lies in the cooperative relationships among friends and neighbors. Let us not give up on a dream worth fighting for.

With the sole purpose of finding common ground, I urge you to go out and engage with others. In spite of our differences, collectively, let us build on the values and ideals we share. Let us support opportunities that promote understanding. Let us practice diplomacy that enables conflict resolution without violence. Let us insist on a civil discourse that will ultimately usher in better days.

Today I speak directly to your conscience. I do not propose that we roll over or surrender our positions on the important issues of the day. I do not imply that the ideological differences between us are not worthy of earnest deliberation and purposeful resolve. Nor do I suggest that this election should not provide political transparency and vigorous debate. On the contrary, we are at a crossroads. But we must remember to serve our families and our communities with distinction and integrity – with humanity, humility, tolerance, and compromise. We are not a nation of one or another – we are all in this together, uniquely worthy of mutual respect, compassion, opportunity, and safety.

My friends, now is not the time for complacency, but do not trouble yourselves with worry. The cosmic council has a handle on this. Everything shakes out & this will, in fact, bring about the highest good. Evolution is a pendulum. Patience.

4 Comments

Great thoughts Evan! Thank you for promoting non-violence and peace. You are so right about coming together to talk about how and what we are all going to do going forward – instead of separating and fighting. It’s amazing that people who are angry and violent, which includes violence with words, cannot see themselves and how they become the even greater problem to society and others. And it’s shocking to me that people cannot see how duped they were by mainstream media with all their lies and deceptive practices. I think when people realize and are honest about how they have been lied to by the media and by HRC and the Dems – they will be able to settle down and admit in their hearts that they were led down the primrose path.

I have to disagree with you on this though “After all is said and done, truly the only thing that matters is the safety and well-being of our children.” I never understand why people say things like that as though the children are more important that the rest of us. WE ARE ALL IMPORTANT and we are all equally as important as the children…even the aged. We are all in this together. After all is said and done, truly the only thing that matters is the safety and well-being of us ALL!

Paul, Thanks for sharing your heart-felt sensibilities. As a father, I tend to say things like “the only thing that matters is the safety and well-being of our children” because I’m implying that they largely rely on adults to keep them safe. In that light, there are plenty in our communities who are especially vulnerable, more so than others. Of course, our collective safety is paramount. On that, we can agree. But hate, violence, and bigotry are learned — in that way, it is incumbent upon adults to help guide a society in a direction that promotes nonviolent communication and love. In my estimation, if we are not collectively looking out for the young people of this nation (both physically, morally, spiritually, ethically, intellectually, etc.) we face an unsettling future of instability and conflict. I know your heart, Paul — and I think, we’re both on the same page. Thanks for reaching out. Your friend, Evan.

Yes we are on the same page my friend. And I understand about being a father and how important the safety and mindful care of our children is because we have to be honest about the fact that they are vulnerable to the infected, unconscious and truly insane-sick minds — that were not cared for and nurtured properly physically, morally, spiritually, ethically, intellectually, etc. as you said, when they were young.

I am not hearing this right now from others and it saddens me… “With the sole purpose of finding common ground, I urge you to go out and engage with others. In spite of our differences, collectively, let us build on the values and ideals we share. Let us support opportunities that promote understanding. Let us practice diplomacy that enables conflict resolution without violence. Let us insist on a civil discourse that will ultimately usher in better days.” …. RIGHT EVAN!

I hope you post your article as many places as you can … it needs to be heard. THANK YOU EVAN for talking about living from the goodness of heart…where love heals, nurtures, unites and thrives… far beyond the ugliness we are seeing people spew at each other right now after the election.